Who knew 17 years could go so fast? By the time it takes to send a kid to college, I’ve been toiling, mostly joyfully, at the Chronicle and SFGate.com. I am headed to KNBR 680-AM, where I will also be making radio appearances and occasionally filling in as a co-host and continuing as part of …

Two days after the 49ers’ loss in the 2012 NFC Championship Game, general manager Trent Baalke was surprised to stumble onto defensive tackle Justin Smith lifting weights at the team facility. Today, six days after the 49ers’ final minicamp of the offseason, Smith, 33, spoke with the media after signing a two-year contract extension that could keep him with the team through the 2015 season. …

Niners offensive coordinator Greg Roman desperately wants to be a head coach. If he doesn’t get his wish after the 2013 season, though, he’ll presumably receive a nice paycheck to help ease the sting. …